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The Consequence of Land Mines on Public Health

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Faiz Kakar ,
Fabrizio Bassani ,
C.J. Romer  and
S.W.A. Gunn
Faiz Kakar
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency and Humanitarian Action, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland Chancellor, Islamic University of Afghanistan, temporarily in Peshawar, Pakistan
Fabrizio Bassani
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency and Humanitarian Action, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland Director, Division of Emergency and Humanitarian Action, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
C.J. Romer
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency and Humanitarian Action, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland Chief, Safety Promotion and Injury Control Unit, Division of Emergency and Humanitarian Action, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
S.W.A. Gunn*
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency and Humanitarian Action, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland President, World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
*
La Panetiere, 1279 Bogis-Bossey, Switzerland
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Abstract

An estimated 110 million land mines scattered in 64 countries continue to terrorize people and destroy human lives long after wars and fighting have ceased. Despite efforts to clear these devices, their numbers continue to increase and their presence, constitutes a substantial threat to public health in the affected countries. Direct consequences include both the physical and emotional injuries from the impact, flying debris, and structural collapse associated with their detonation. Indirect consequences include increases in the incidence of waterborne diseases, diarrhea, malnutrition, infectious diseases, and spread of the human immunodeficiency virus associated with the increased use of blood. Those at highest risk of these latter consequences are mostly the disadvantaged poor, especially children. Psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, occur in those not directly injured as well as those physically wounded by the explosion.

Besides efforts to ban production, stockpiling and export of land mines, a comprehensive and integrated health program aimed at the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of those injured directly or indirectly by land mines is needed urgently. Strategies should include mine-awareness programs, enhanced transport of those directly injured, training the villagers in first aid, augmenting the capacity and quality of treatment facilities, improving the psychological support and treatment capabilities, development of rehabilitation programs, and the institution and enhancement of public-health programs directed at the indirect consequences associated with the presence of land mines.

Land mines constitute a major public-health problem in the world that must be addressed.

Keywords

anti-personnel minescommunity health workersdiarrheadisaster medicinefirst aidGeneva Conventionshumanitarian medicineland minesmalnutritionmilitary recyclingnongovernmental organizationspeacepost-traumatic stress disorderprosthesespublic healthprimary health-care clinicsrehabilitationresource allocationsurgerytraumaUnited Nationswarwaterborne diseasesWorld Health Organization
Type
Feature Article
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , March 1996 , pp. 2 - 10
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1996

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